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Show r 14 The Magna TimesWest Valley News, Thursday, August 7, 1997 Samuel and Eliza Taylor: Magna pioneers Sesquicentennial Series by RAY HEIDT Will Durrant, a historian of note, once said, History is like a broad river. The middle, where the current surges and moves swiftly, can be compared to kings, generals and captains of The river's edge, industry. where the current moves in sluggish eddies, is like the common man woman. and Historians have spent too much time in the middle of the river, they need to spend more time on the river's edge." Historic Magna qualifies as a quiet corner of the world by the side of the river, where neighbors care for neighbors, and children play away lazy summer days. Samuel Barnes Taylor and his wife, Eliza Ann West Taylor, were one of the first three pioneer families to settle in Pleasant Green and spend the rest of their lives there. Aside from the family of seven children, one of his most memorable contributions to our understanding of his life and times was a faithfully kept daily journal. Often the entries were made by candle light and truly give us a glimpse into a different age. In addition to a busy life as a father and farmer, he was a volunteer in that group of pioneers who built the roads, canals, and railroad that we in Magna and the west side take for granted. A member of the Mormon Church, he served as a Ward Clerk as well as a school trustee and an election judge. A member of the Nauvoo Legion in Utah, he drilled regularly while they lived in Salt Lake City to develop the military skills to help protect the valley from outsiders. was born He in Aston-Underlyn- e, Lancashire, England, on 16 Oct 1841 to Joseph Taylor and Harriet Barnes. He married Eliza Jane 20 April West, who was born 1847 in Puronghast, Derbyshire, England, in the old Endowment House on 3 June 1865, thus making her a June bride. Samuel and Eliza had seven children, with the first, Mary Jane, dying after three short weeks of life. Despite Samuel's very careful journal keeping, we will never know his feelings at the passing of his first born as his early journals were later thrown away. The next three children John, Harriet and Sarah Ann were born in Salt Lake City. In 1873 the family moved to Pleasant Green and the next three chil- - - dren Naomi, - Annie and Samuel Levi were born there. The fifth child, Naomi, was the first child born in the Magna area. She later married Isaac Coon, also of Pleasant Green. One of the more interesting accounts he gives in his journal is that of building his house. Under the date of 4 Sept. 1883 Portrait of Samuel Barnes Taylor family. Left to right: John West, Annie Eliza, Samuel Barnes, Eliza Jane, Naomi Mariah, Harriet. Inset left: Samuel and Eliza, later in life. Inset right: Original Samuel Barnes Taylor home, built in 1868, burned down in 1991. -- Photos courtesy of Magna Museum Family set in, when he planted his peas and corn, the rain fall and when the first snow came. He noted weddings, birthdays, deaths, and church picnics. He also noted the births, deaths, and names of his farm animals. His health began to fail in the fall of 1897. On 4 Nov. 1897, he I have had two very writes, poor days and nights with the asthma. His last entry on 12 he staked out the foundation and began shaping and curing the adobe brick. By 1 Nov. he bought the redwood shingles but the weather turned bad and it was spring before he could start again. Other entries detail the weath- er, e.g., when the spring thaws I Nov. says, Peter LeCheminant got my medicine from Ohio and started taking it. He died 25 November 1897 at the age of 56 years. He was buried in Lot 7 of the new Pleasant Green cemetery. His wife outlived him to pass away on 25 Jan 1935 at age 87 and was buried next to him In the Pleasant Green Cemetery. They lived, died, and are buried I in Pleasant Green, that joyful precursor to Magna. Of seven children born to them, five lived to marry and become the bearers of a proud pioneer name and heritage. Truly Samuel Barnes Taylor and Eliza Jane West fit the pioneer mold that shaped the society we have welt today. Of them vt-n- ay the lines from the song, quote Blessed, honored pioneer! f |